Kentwood (LA) senior Devin King, a runner-up at last June’s NBNO meet, is the clear-cut favorite to take the pole vault this weekend. King has a best of 17-8, which he did at the LSU Last Chance Qualifier on Feb. 15. He was sixth at the indoor meet in 2013. Corsicana (TX) senior Noah Gilfillan is the No. 2 pole-vaulter in the country with a best of 17-1. He failed to clear the opening height last year so that may provide some added motivation to excel this weekend. Other strong contenders are Warwick Valley (NY) junior Todd Uckermark (16-9, US #4) and Memphis University School (TN) senior Harrison Williams (16-8, US #6).
Desiree Freier of Texas will be looking to lead another Lone Star State onslaught in the pole vault. Tied for third a year ago as Texas vaulters occupied the top five spots, Freier cleared 14-0 in the Millrose Games in her 2014 debut at the Armory. Kally Long and Zoe McKinley, who shared third in 2013, also have topped 13-0 this season, along with Maryland’s Olivia Gruver. Last year’s runner-up Shay Petty of Texas also is back, along with fellow Texans Sara-Kathryn Stevens (8th in 2013), Meagan Gray (T-US#9 12-10) and Nicole Summersett (T-US#9 12-10). more at milesplit
